Six New Foreign-Trained Doctors Commence Work Within PMH

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues ongoing efforts to recruit physicians to the region. One of the initiatives the region utilizes as part of its overall recruitment strategy is the provincial Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG). The ‘IMG Program’ assists foreign-trained doctors in obtaining their medical license to be able to practice as a primary care (family) physician in Manitoba.

Over the past year, the region sponsored six physicians to participate in the Program. Doctors that have now successfully graduated have been strategically placed in PMH communities (or nearby areas) that require additional sufficient physician resources.

This time, these communities include Baldur, Brandon, Hamiota, Killarney, Melita, Minnedosa, Russell, Shoal Lake and Virden. Many of the physician placements will include itinerant clinics in neighbouring communities, including First Nation communities.

In return for regional sponsorship, IMG doctors agree to practice in their respective communities for four years.

The Program is supported by the University of Manitoba —Max Rady College of Medicine, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living.

During the next rotation, which is already underway, PMH is sponsoring five more IMG physicians who started their training program in June 2018. If successful, they will be able to commence practice within the health region sometime next fall (2019).